The next day, I decided to explore the neighborhood. I walked across the moor toward a house in the distance. The path was narrow and wound between patches of bog. The ground was soft and wet in many places. Suddenly, I heard someone calling out to me. A thin man was running toward me with a butterfly net. 'Stop right there!' he shouted. 'You are heading straight for the Grimpen Mire!' I looked down and saw that the ground ahead was shaking. It was a deadly bog that would swallow anything. 'Thank you,' I said as the man reached me. 'You may have saved my life.' 'I am Jack Stapleton,' said the man with a smile. 'I am a naturalist, and I study the insects here.' 'You must be Dr. Watson, from Baskerville Hall.' 'How do you know who I am?' I asked. 'Dr. Mortimer told me about you,' explained Stapleton. 'News travels fast on the moor.' 'Please, come to my house for some tea.' I walked with him to Merripit House. It was a small but pleasant building on the edge of the moor. A beautiful woman came out to greet us. 'This is my sister, Beryl,' said Stapleton. Miss Stapleton had dark hair and striking eyes. She seemed nervous and looked at me strangely. 'Go back!' she whispered urgently when her brother was not looking. 'Go back to London immediately!' I was confused by her warning. 'Why should I leave?' I asked. 'I cannot explain, but please believe me,' she said. 'This place is dangerous for you.' Before I could respond, Stapleton returned. His sister immediately changed her expression. She smiled and acted as if nothing had happened. We had tea and talked about the moor. Stapleton told me about the dangerous bogs. 'A man or horse can sink in seconds,' he explained. 'I am the only one who knows the safe paths.' As we talked, a strange sound echoed across the moor. It was a deep, sad howl that seemed to come from everywhere. 'What was that?' I asked, feeling a chill. Stapleton's face grew pale. 'The local people say it is the hound of the Baskervilles.' 'Do you believe in such things?' I asked. 'I am a man of science,' said Stapleton. 'It is probably just a bird or some other animal.' But his sister looked terrified. I thanked them for the tea and started back. Miss Stapleton walked with me for a short distance. 'I apologize for my earlier words,' she said. 'I thought you were Sir Henry.' 'Please forget what I said.' She turned and hurried back to the house. I walked back to Baskerville Hall deep in thought. Why had she warned me, thinking I was Sir Henry? What danger did she know about? And what was that terrible sound on the moor? I needed to write to Holmes immediately. Things were becoming more mysterious every day. And I feared that danger was getting closer.
B1Chapter 7 / 15492 words60 sentences
The Stapletons of Merripit House
Chapter 7 · The Hound of the Baskervilles · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
Watson meets the naturalist Stapleton and his beautiful sister, and nearly dies in the Grimpen Mire.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What did Watson discover about the butler Barrymore at night?
2
What secret was Mrs. Barrymore hiding?
3
What happened when Watson and Sir Henry chased someone on the moor?
4